For nursing home residents, the risk of a fall can be substantial. These accidents routinely result in serious injuries for most people, but they are especially dangerous when they involve the elderly. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that one out of every four people over the age of 65 falls each year.
Some fall injuries carry serious health consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 20% of all falls result in severe injury. If you have questions about the different types of injuries nursing home residents may sustain after a fall, an attorney could have the answers. In some cases, these falls could result in a substantial claim for monetary compensation.
Types of Fall Injuries
Any part of the body could sustain damage in a fall accident. With that in mind, certain injuries are more likely than others. These injuries could be relatively minor or come with severe consequences.
Minor Fall Injuries
Some slip and fall injuries are relatively minor. Unfortunately for some nursing home residents, even a minor injury could have lasting consequences. Some elderly nursing home residents experience diminished bone density, which can make broken bones more likely after a fall.
Some minor injuries in a nursing home fall may include:
- Cuts and bruises
- Sprained wrists
- Sprained ankles
- Scrapes
Severe Fall Injuries
Some severe fall injuries are immediately obvious. Others might not appear significant right away. In either case, some of the severe injuries that could come with a fall include:
- Broken arm
- Broken wrist
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal damage
- Internal bleeding
- Broken hip
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
If your loved one has suffered any of these injuries during a fall in a nursing home, it is vital that you see to their medical needs right away. Once you have had their injuries addressed, you could next benefit from a discussion with an injury attorney.
Psychological Consequences of a Fall Injury
Physical injuries are not the only common outcome following a fall. Even those nursing home residents that heal from their wounds could face long-term mental side-effects due to their injury. These post-fall emotional responses can manifest in many ways.
Some individuals could become depressed due to the long-term health complications they now experience. Others could be wracked by fear or stress at the thought of becoming injured again.
These mental conditions could last far longer than some physical symptoms of a fall injury. Certain nursing home residents could live in fear of another fall for the rest of their life. This could prevent them from enjoying their life to the fullest.
How Falls Happen
Some risk factors for falls are related to underlying health issues of the nursing home resident. For some nursing home residents, the physical decline and muscle atrophy that comes with aging can result in an increased likelihood of falling. Other residents deal with issues regarding their gait that make it difficult to maintain their balance.
Some factors in a fall are indirectly related to the resident’s health. Simple things like the wrong choice of shoes could be a major risk factor. The reality is that non-slip shoes can prevent countless falls.
Medications
Medication is another important factor that nursing home staff should consider for all their patients. Certain medications could disrupt a nursing home resident’s balance or increase the risk of fainting. Nursing staff should be aware of these risks and carefully monitor patients that are on these medications.
Negligence
The facility itself can also play a role in these accidents. Cluttered floors, inadequate lighting, and missing handrails could all lead to fall injuries. These problems are often made worse when the facility is understaffed.
Discuss a Nursing Home Fall Injury Claim with an Attorney Today
Your loved one could be entitled to compensation for any of the different types of injuries nursing home residents may sustain after a fall. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, and we look forward to the opportunity to fight for your loved one. To get started, call (702) 444-3228 for a free consultation.